For this project we used Belgard pavers, designed and built a brand new pool using a tile finish, equipped with Hayward Smart Pool features, built an aluminum pool cage, installed new PVC fence, created and designed new landscape, sod for the yard, and installed new outdoor lighting. Our designs are custom to each individual clients space and needs.

Private pool and patio area nestled in back yard. Photo by Tom Aiken
Small traditional backyard l-shaped pool in Miami with a hot tub and tile.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Dallas with a hot tub and concrete slab.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete slab.

This clients modern home needed a pool surround to match. By utilizing natural stone to coincide with the homes masonry, custom seatwalls and paver inlays throughout the poured concrete offer a chic appearance. Carpentry panels assist in screening neighboring views while plants help soften the surround. A gas fire bowl sets off the space and creates an inviting lounge during the evening.

We were contacted by a family named Pesek who lived near Memorial Drive on the West side of Houston. They lived in a stately home built in the late 1950’s. Many years back, they had contracted a local pool company to install an old lagoon-style pool, which they had since grown tired of. When they initially called us, they wanted to know if we could build them an outdoor room at the far end of the swimming pool. We scheduled a free consultation at a time convenient to them, and we drove out to their residence to take a look at the property. After a quick survey of the back yard, rear of the home, and the swimming pool, we determined that building an outdoor room as an addition to their existing landscaping design would not bring them the results they expected. The pool was visibly dated with an early “70’s” look, which not only clashed with the late 50’s style of home architecture, but guaranteed an even greater clash with any modern-style outdoor room we constructed. Luckily for the Peseks, we offered an even better landscaping plan than the one they had hoped for. We proposed the construction of a new outdoor room and an entirely new swimming pool. Both of these new structures would be built around the classical geometry of proportional right angles. This would allow a very modern design to compliment an older home, because basic geometric patterns are universal in many architectural designs used throughout history. In this case, both the swimming pool and the outdoor rooms were designed as interrelated quadrilateral forms with proportional right angles that created the illusion of lengthened distance and a sense of Classical elegance. This proved a perfect complement to a house that had originally been built as a symbolic emblem of a simpler, more rugged and absolute era. Though reminiscent of classical design and complimentary to the conservative design of the home, the interior of the outdoor room was ultra-modern in its array of comfort and convenience. The Peseks felt this would be a great place to hold birthday parties for their child. With this new outdoor room, the Peseks could take the party outside at any time of day or night, and at any time of year. We also built the structure to be fully functional as an outdoor kitchen as well as an outdoor entertainment area. There was a smoker, a refrigerator, an ice maker, and a water heater—all intended to eliminate any need to return to the house once the party began. Seating and entertainment systems were also added to provide state of the art fun for adults and children alike. We installed a flat-screen plasma TV, and we wired it for cable. The swimming pool was built between the outdoor room and the rear entrance to the house. We got rid of the old lagoon-pool design which geometrically clashed with the right angles of the house and outdoor room. We then had a completely new pool built, in the shape of a rectangle, with a rather innovative coping design. We showcased the pool with a coping that rose perpendicular to the ground out of the stone patio surface. This reinforced our blend of contemporary look with classical right angles. We saved the client an enormous amount of money on travertine by setting the coping so that it does not overhang with the tile. Because the ground between the house and the outdoor room gradually dropped in grade, we used the natural slope of the ground to create another perpendicular right angle at the end of the pool. Here, we installed a waterfall which spilled over into a heated spa. Although the spa was fed from within itself, it was built to look as though water was coming from within the pool. The ultimate result of all of this is a new sense of visual “ebb and flow,” so to speak. When Mr. Pesek sits in his couch facing his house, the earth appears to rise up first into an illuminated pool which leads the way up the steps to his home. When he sits in his spa facing the other direction, the earth rises up like a doorway to his outdoor room, where he can comfortably relax in the water while he watches TV. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

Request Free Quote This stand-alone raised spa in Lake Forest, IL packs alot of features into a limited space, and yet feels spacious. Measuring 8'0" x 8'0", the raised spa has an automatic safety cover with stone lid system. Covered by a beautiful custom Pergola, the outdoor space features a fire pit and ample seating space. Photos by Larry Huene

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard pool in Other with natural stone pavers.

The stunning white walls of this Rosemary Beach house contrast with the Mediterranean Blue tiles of the pool. The five scuppers pour a stream of sound into the small pool courtyard, providing an oasis in this busy neighborhood. The compact, native landscape provides year-round color and interest. Photographed by: Alan D. Holt

Beth Skogen Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional indoor rectangular lap pool in Other with a pool house and tile.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix with natural stone pavers.

This is an in ground Acrylic spa. We chose Acrylic because the seats are softly molded and there are over 25 hydrotherapeutic water jets. The quick installation time and low cost are also attractive.

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular natural pool in Miami with natural stone pavers.

large pool in a small space
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional pool in Orlando.

Gib-San Pools Ltd. Toronto
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard round pool in Toronto with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Photo of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Cleveland with stamped concrete and a water slide.

This project feaures a 18’0” x 35’0”, 4’0” to 5’0” deep swimming pool and a 7’0” x 9’0” hot tub. Both the pool and hot tub feature color-changing LED lights. The pool also features a set of full-end steps. Both the pool and hot tub coping are Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and the hot tub are outfitted with automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. The pool and hot tub finish is Wet Edge Primera Stone Midnight Breeze.. The pool deck is mortar set Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the pool deck retaining wall is a stone veneer with Valders Wisconsin coping. The masonry planters are also veneered in stone with Valders Wisconsin Limestone caps. Photos by e3 Photography.This project feaures a 18’0” x 35’0”, 4’0” to 5’0” deep swimming pool and a 7’0” x 9’0” hot tub. Both the pool and hot tub feature color-changing LED lights. The pool also features a set of full-end steps. Both the pool and hot tub coping are Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and the hot tub are outfitted with automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. The pool and hot tub finish is Wet Edge Primera Stone. The pool deck is mortar set Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the pool deck retaining wall is a stone veneer with Valders Wisconsin coping. The masonry planters are also veneered in stone with Valders Wisconsin Limestone caps. Photos by e3 Photography.

The Client wanted a small pool and pool deck for this house in WaterColor. A neighborhood walkway runs directly behind the pool area, so the addition of privacy plantings was important.